Mary S. Riverso

I represent clients in all aspects of litigation; I listen to client concerns, think creatively and communicate openly about their options, and then work aggressively to resolve those concerns. I use my experience as a clerk for a federal judge as well as my time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to help guide my clients through the litigation process.  As a federal judicial law clerk I learned how to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of legal arguments, research complex issues, argue persuasively in a courtroom, write clearly and succinctly, draft complex memoranda, and I gained invaluable insight into judicial decision-making.  While at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I participated in all aspects of trial preparations, engaged in trial strategy discussions, participated in all aspects of the trials themselves, and even testified several times as a summary-fact witness in federal court.

Since joining the firm, I constantly draw on all of these experiences to think strategically and thoroughly as I draft pleadings, discovery requests and responses, motions to compel, motions to dismiss, and motions for summary judgment and as I prepare for arbitrations. These experiences and my work ethic allow me to effectively advocate for my clients.

I represent clients in creditors’ remedies and bankruptcy litigation, drawing on my experience as a federal trial paralegal and as a federal judicial law clerk. This type of litigation is distinct from other cases due to the short timelines and specialized rules and procedures that must be followed. Further, these matters often involve two cases running concurrently—one involving bankruptcy issues and one involving commercial litigation issues, sometimes even in two different courts: state or federal court and bankruptcy court.  I guide clients through the two separate litigations, think creatively about how to litigate within the different frameworks, and work to develop the best solution given the goals of the business and the circumstances.